Mochi and Lychi

With Yochi’s experience, we are careful to do proper integration. For the 1st 3 days, Lychi was confined to the service yard and we didn’t allow Nana to sleep with Lychi, even when she was super keen. I was also worried that Lychi would pee on her bed when he smelt the residual smell. #fomo

Thankfully for Yochi, the service yard was ready for Lychi. We dont really duno how old Lychi is; JJ said that he is about 1 year old. He looked very small compared to Mochi and Yochi. 

The new environment must be really stressful for Lychi. He actually found his way into the service yard and decided that he would stay in the washing machine. Then he hid behind the washing machine for the rest of the day. 

The next day, he was hiding in one corner of the cat condo. 

Our service yard has invisible grille but Lychi looked so small and I was worried that he would squeeze out of the grille and fall to his death. At 6.30am, I was meshing the window. It wasn’t a great job but at least I know he would be safe when I am at work. 

Lychi barely ate much in the 1st 24 hours, which is not uncommon. Thankfully, he peed and in the litter box! This is the thing with pets, we are constantly watching how much they eat, pee and poop. He has at least stopped hiding behind the washing machine. 

We also let him out but still separating the cats.

How is Mochi? He must be very puzzled why Yochi smelled different, became small and now has a tail. Haha. 

They saw each other while separated by the glass door. There was no hissing or growling. In fact, they seem to be afraid of each other and ran away from each other more than not. 

Lychi started eating on day 2. Daddy Lim hand fed him and it was a few nibbles but that is already an achievement. Things look like they are going the right way. He has started poopping too. Hooray!  What I am really enjoying is that I don’t have to clean pee or worry about the cat peeing in random places. The urine stench is also slowly going away. Moreover, Lychi is also so cute! 

By day 3, Lychi has started to eat normally. Daddy Lim fed them dinner and decided that they can eat together. There was no fights. Peace! 

We also allowed them to meet under supervision. Lychi hissed at Mochi aonce and we quickly separated them. That was no other occasion. 

They are skittish around each other. Often, one would attempt to smell the other one, startling the other one, which lead to some running around. Otherwise, all good. 

It is almost a week since Lychi is with us. Things are looking really good. There are some chasing but it looks more like play chasing than fight chasing.

Lychi has also taken over one of Mochi’s favorite spots. Just today, he was sleeping there the entire afternoon. 

Bcos they are living in harmony, we have stopped confining one of them when we are out for short periods. Today, we returned to find both of them sleeping in our room at different spots but peacefully. 

I think we would try to let them both be out tonight. In fact, we are considering to “move” Lychi out of the service yard for good. Bcos he is living in harmony with Mochi, we are also enjoying both cats more. This is so good. 

Mummy Lim

Zaky’s Recovery

It had been about 6 weeks since Zaky injured his ligaments. I thought it was longer. Anyhow, the wheelchair has been returned, the crutches and aircast banished to the storeroom. He had been in ankle guard for the past 1+ weeks and had started running and monkeying around. Fortunately, no aggravation so far. The swelling has all gone down. He only complained about soreness at the back of his right heel and tightness in the same ankle. I get the tightness, he hasn’t really exercised in weeks. I can’t explain the soreness, which is supposed to be from an old injury. 

Anyhow, we booked him a physiotherapist session. The clinic is right at Potong Pasir. Thankfully, my company insurance covers up to $800 annually for specialist referred physio. 

The physiotherapist did some testing and measuring, some massaging here and there. Then, she taught him the exercises to strengthen both ankles. His ankles are both screwed. The left one was injured just as frequently. The physiotherapist described the ligament as a rubber band. Once stretched, it becomes loose and thus the ankle gets unstable, twisted, sprained easily. While torn ligament heals, the more important thing is to strengthen the muscles around the ankle to prevent the “stretched rubber band” from wobbling the ankle too much. 

The session was about 1 hour and the next appointment was originally fixed for early next week. Zzzzzz… the session cost us $235 and the insurance cap wouldn’t last us very long. I pushed the appointment out to the following week. Isn’t Zaky supposed to just practice these exercises on his own? How much can muscles grow in 4 days? 

I asked the physiotherapist about when Zaky can get back to sports but was told that he had already started playing basketball. He is to take things easy and stop when there is too much pain. 

Zaky is eager to get back to action and intended to cycle on Monday morning. I asked him to join me for the PPCG ride instead. It was a 50km ride and through Mandai. Good training. 

I was already worried when the group met up bcos the slower riders didn’t join the ride yday. They claimed that they would wait for us. I told them that we would break away if Zaky can’t catch up. Then we just have to find our way home with Google’s help. 

The beginning part of the ride was really fast. We were rolling above 30km/hr. Zaky was still fresh and could kept up. Fortunately, the ride leaders controlled the speed thereafter. We were generally rolling about 28 to 30km/hr.

By the 20km mark, Zaky was visibly tired. The ride was alright for me, the usual distance and speed with the group. He just isn’t used to cycling at this speed and duration. Nevertheless, he kept up the whole ride, conquered Mandai and completed 50km. Woohoo! 

The moment we reached home, Zaky made himself supper and ransacked the house for food. Lol. 

I am a good mother, I am helping my son to train up after his long break. Now that he has witnessed, he can tell his friends, “my mother can cycle faster than you ah”. Haha. 

Mummy Lim

May Gathering with the Aunties

After various discussions, we decided to meet yday, midweek and a PH. Then somebody suggested beach and what is a beach gathering without kids? If without kids, we would choose a nice aircon cafe over beach anytime. The teenagers had their own chat group and decided to all come for the beach gathering. 

Bcos ECP is fairly near, we decided to all cycle to ECP. 

Ya, it was my suggestion but I forgot that I had a 100km ride with the PPCG group the night before. I haven’t rode this long distance for a long time. In fact, my last roadie ride was in early April. The distance was manageable bcos the speed was controlled, what wasn’t is the butt ache. Lol. 

The moment I sat on my bike, my butt nicely reminded me of the consequences of a 100km ride. Lol. I made it safely to ECP. It was about 10km and took us 45 mins. We brought picnic mat, frisbee, vball and a huge thermal water bottle, all nicely strapped onto the foldie. 

We were the 1st to arrive at the park and had to wait for other families, so that there are food to snack on. Haha. Thankfully, the rest arrived shortly. ECP was crowded and we joined the crowd, found a grass patch near to the beach and grew our territory as more families came and brought more mats. 

While the teenagers were happy to sit around to either game or chit chat, the tiny ones were eager to hit the beach and water.

The only thing in my head was the clean up required of the tiny ones. Look at that amount of sand. Lol. Thankfully, my kids are way beyond this stage. At dinner, auntie J and I were happily taking care of our own dinner while some of the aunties were ruining after their little ones and cleaning them up. 

Speaking of dinner, the teenagers had MacD under the moonlight and torch light. The adults nicely sat in the Briyani shop, away from the mosquitoes and comfortably in the aircon restaurant. It is ok, young people like to do this kind of things, I did that too many years ago. 

We finally left for home at about 8.30pm. We all have work and school to go back to the next day. We had to take a picture of the teenagers. 

The ride home was just as traumatising for my butt. Nana was tired but still had to ride back. At one point, she decided to take the ride slowly, which my butt totally disagreed. Daddy Lim kindly stayed with Nana while Zaky and I sped home. My butt is saved! 

It was a nice gathering. We don’t always have such a big group of hubbies and kids. We all found different things to do, whether it is gaming, sand, coffee or catching up. May God bless and bond this group forever, big or small people alike. 

Mummy Lim

Bye to Yochi and Hello Lychi

We really gave up. Yochi peed so much in the service yard the last few days that I had to mop instead of just using the usual tissue and wet wipes. Not only the service yard, but the whole house reeked of urine. Even the cleaning helper said that our service yard stinks. Sob. 

There are times that Mochi and Yochi exist in harmony or we found only droplets of pee in the service yard that I thought maybe there is hope. My dreams burst as quickly as they are formed. The next moment, Yochi would be attacking Mochi or I will be on my 4s, cleaning up pee in the service yard or somewhere in the house.

I will be going to Tokyo for business trip from 2 to 4 June. When we have decided to give up, we already told the fosterer (JJ), who was sympathetic since we had already tried for a significant period of time. I told her that we can keep Yochi for a while more but when the business trip is firmed, we know that we had to send Yochi away before I leave. 

I asked the fosterer if coming Wed works; she was willing to take Yochi back this afternoon. This morning, we told the kids, who all said their goodbye. I thought Yochi was behaving weirdly the whole morning. He kept meowing in an unusual way. I think he knows. Sob. 

It was easier to get Yochi into the carrier than Mochi. Mochi starts running and hiding the moment he sees us with the carrier. Yochi kept meowing the entire car ride. Sorry! But he still had the appetite to have a cat treat. 

My SIL bought the cat treat from Korea. After Yochi devoured the treats, then I realised that it is for dog? Both the Chis enjoyed the treats very much anyhow. Dog or cat doesn’t matter, so long it is treats. Haha.

Luckily, JJ’s place is only 15 mins drive away. Yochi was meowing so pitifully throughout, excepting when snacking. 

JJ continued to have many other cats at home. Yochi would be confined in a cage for the next few days. Yochi was super pissed, he was hissing and growling in the cage. JJ was so surprised bcos he was a meek cat just 3 over months ago. I duno what we did to him to make him a different cat. JJ also commented that Yochi has put on weight. That I know, he is so food motivated at our place. 

We talked about our experience and frustration and told JJ how sorry we are to have to give up on Yochi. JJ then asked if we are ready to adopt another cat. What? I actually thought and toyed with that idea but also badly bitten by Yochi’s experience. JJ said that she has these 2 orange cats fostered for 2 months from a shipyard. 

They are a boy and girl. The siblings are not close though.  The boy is a lot more playful. She would be happy if we can keen to take both. What!?

We thought for a while, and decided to try. So ya, we sub an Orange cat or another Orange cat. Yochi no. 2 will be called Lychi. Hoho. I really hope that he will live in harmony with Mochi and most importantly, pee in the litter box. 

Mummy Lim

More Snowboarding and Now with Snowmonster

Bcos Trifecta is going to be closed for upgrading, we have decided to try Snowmonster. Social media is sneaking on me bcos their reels kept coming up. Snowmonster has moving carpet too but they use the “enoki” carpet and is supposed to imitate real snow more. 

Daddy Lim, Nana and I signed up for Beginner 1/2 class last Monday at 7pm. Zaky tagged along as he needed to be fed after his medical appointment. Poor Zaky can only watch us have fun. 

The carpet feels so, so different. There is no bar to restrict us but we had to keep to our “lane”. The big carpet that we were on had 3 lanes. Bcos it felt so different, whatever we had learnt in Trifecta got thrown out of the window. I had to unlearn and relearn. We could all manage the heel and toe side and do falling leaves and took turns to practice 2 at a time, so that we had more space for the “leaves to fall”. 

The instructor, which Nana likes, kept telling us that we needed to be much more deliberated in our leaning when we move from side to side. This would help us when we try our J turn later. 

Constant heel/ toe side is super tiring. 

We took whatever chance to rest on the carpet. It is much more difficult to climb, easier to fall when trying to climb and much more difficult to stand up into heel side position on this enoki carpet. The difficulty to stand up to heel side is similar to the mountains. We literally sweat buckets, I think more from trying to stand up and “hold” the position while trying to climb than actual snowboarding.

I duno what exactly is a J turn but definitely some kind of turn and was keen to try. I was afterall able to turn from heel to toe to heel and back at Trifecta. But my attempts were disastrous. 

In snowboarding, it is very important to have the weight on the steering (front) knee even when the board is pointing vertical downhill. The natural human reaction would be to lean back to counter the “fall” but there is no way for the front knee to steer when the weight is on the back knee. To do a J turn, we have to 1st turn to point the board vertical from heel side, then use the knee to steer the board to heel side again. 

Nana and I kept trying while Daddy Lim took a rest. The instructor would hold one of our  hands while we attempt. We were taking turns to try and to fall. Luckily the falls were not too painful. I simply cannot trick my body to lean forward when I am going vertical downhill. Haiz. The instructor said that she had helped many people master their J turns and is confident to help us too but we didn’t achieve any J turns independently by the end of the lesson. Towards the end, I was so tired that I knew it was impossible to achieve one. 

That left me really upset. I kept thinking about how I can get the J turns. Should I try to lean more? How do I practice leaning more on the steering knee without actually snowboarding? Would it help if the carpet is at a higher speed? I fell asleep with those thoughts. I wasn’t the only one bcos Daddy Lim woke up and googled what a J turn is the next morning. Lol.

Bcos I was feeling so frustrated, I decided to go for another lesson. Nana was not free while Daddy Lim wasn’t keen. I went for class this evening and there was another couple. The 3 lanes carpet was under maintenance and we used the 2 lanes one. This carpet is supposed to have wider lanes. Before class, I was already practicing on a slope, without the board, trying to lean on the steering knee, visualising the turns, and hoping that it helps. 

It was a different instructor. We had to take turns. The gf could already do S turns on the mountain and was accompanying her bf, who has never snowboarded before. I got to warm up 1st while waiting the instructor and the couple to get ready. I tired to lean more deliberately. 

The instructor said that I would get my J turn by the end of the lesson. I hope! While the couple was on the carpet, I was either practicing on the slope or strapped one foot onto the board to practice leaning.

The gf and I learnt the J turns together. We started from heel side, lean the weight on the steering knee, which will naturally move the board to a vertical position, then “open up the shoulder”, which will naturally move the board back to the heel side position. After a few attempts, leaning on the steering knee when the board is vertical isn’t that scary. I managed to get my J turn! The gf was doing a much better job. 

I took a rest before going back to the carpet and tried C turns this time. It is toe side to vertical and back to toe side. From toe side to vertical requires the shoulder to open up. I fell a few times when doing that as I had the tendency to lean back. Leaning back on toe side means falling backwards and maybe even rolling backwards when on the mountain. Anyhow, after the board is vertical, I am to “close” my shoulder again to go back to toe side. This one took a few more guided tries from the instructor, but I got it too. Woohoo!!! 

By the end of the session, I was again perspiring but very pleased. Again, the tiredness wasn’t from the snowboarding but there was a lot of standing up to heel side position and hopping around to get the right heel/ toe side position. 

I also realised (again) the importance of a good instructor. Nana likes the last one but after my lesson with this instructor, the last one was lousy in comparison. She didn’t explain that “open and close” shoulder thing or we might have gotten our turns last lesson. I also wouldn’t feel so frustrated. Hahahah. 

I came home and happily shared my success with Nana. We are going for lessons again next Monday! I hope the Snowmonster Mother’s Day promo doesn’t end so soon. The lessons without promotions are so expensive, more expensive than Trifecta. 

Meanwhile, I will continue to find slopes to practice my leaning. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

No More Paika

The MRI report made it sound really bad. In the end, it was diagnosed as a very bad sprain, no surgery is needed, just restraining ankle movement and give it chance to heal and rest. Dr Foo did mention that in cases of competitive athletes, they would consider surgery to ensure that the ligaments heal like they should. No, we are nowhere there.

Zaky’s recovery was obvious. The swelling was bad in the 1st 2 weeks but it went down quickly after that. Bcos it wasn’t time for his review and we didn’t know what the doctor would say, we still make him wear his aircast constantly. He also took every chance to ask me for an ankle massage. Zzzz. 

His review with Dr Foo was on Monday afternoon. Dr Foo took time to explain the MRI and report, which I wasn’t too concerned since Zaky’s ankle is seemingly doing well. The MRI noted some old injuries too. I am not surprised; we are all so active and every now and then, there is always somebody in the family with some kind of injury. 

Dr Foo gave his ankle a physical review thereafter. I did warn him of the potential smell attack. Lol. Zaky almost had no pain anywhere, except for some aches where the old injury is. We were both amazed at his speed of recovery and can only marvel at how fast young boys recover. If it had been me, I would probably still be in a wheelchair. 

Speaking of the wheelchair, we rented it for a month bcos we played doctor and thought that he would be immobile for a long time. I mean, the swelling, the crutches, the aircast - it all looked serious enough. The moment Dr Foo emailed to update on the MRI and that Zaky could try putting weight on the ankle, Zaky immediately ditched his crutches and the wheelchair has been totally isolated. We should return it this weekend, it is only taking up space at home. 

During Monday’s review, bcos Zaky is healing so nicely and almost all the swelling had gone down, Dr Foo said that he can go back to normal well supported shoes with ankle guard. Zaky’s reaction was immediate. 

His striking pink basketball shoes that he didn’t really quite utilised last NSG has been put to good use. The poor aircast has been abandoned and I am giving it some time to air before it finds itself in the storeroom. 

Dr Foo had already recommended physio about 2 weeks ago but I had been lazy. We should if we want him to go back to sports and to do so without another preventable ankle injury. The muscles need to be built up again to protect the ligament. Zaky is dying to be active again, he is full of envy when we go for snowboarding classes and he wanted to do surfing too. His school basketball coach, who didn’t know that he is injured, had asked him to go train at the club that he is coaching. Yes, there are so many interesting things and he is held back by a silly bad landing while playing mini hoops in class. I really don’t  understand how he did that to himself. 

Anyhow, Dr Foo said that it should be another few weeks before he can start slowly ease into physical activities. Of course, he has to be able to jump and jog 1st. 

We had all be warning Zaky about putting on weight bcos of his inactivity. We worried too much, teenage boys just burn calories as easily as breathing. We shall worry about ourselves, who put on weight even if we drink water. 

The next review will be 3 weeks later. Thankfully for Company insurance. 

Mummy Lim

Giving Up on Yochi

It had been more than a week since Yochi is on Clomipramine and we had been confining him to the service yard at nights and when we are away at work or school. This means that he sometimes could be confined for really long hours. 

Each morning and evening, we still unfortunately wake up to a pee-mess service yard. Not only does he peed outside of the litter box, he stepped on his pee and then walked all over the service yard. If we let him out of the service yard at the wrong time, we can see pee paw prints in the kitchen as he walked out of the service yard. Haiz. I had been cleaning the service yard and chasing after pee paw prints at least 2 times a day.

The pee mess can also come in the form of droplets. I am now suspicious of all weird looking droplets and liquid at home. I do find these droplets everywhere except for the bedrooms (thankfully) where Yochi is not allowed most time.

We have updated Dr Tay, who commented that Yochi seems to be really strong willed. He has suggested that we add on a night dose of medication and further confine Yochi to a smaller space like a playpen or cage, so that Mochi can exert dominance. That would be so sad and I can already imagine Yochi’s insistent meowing. 

I read that maybe the same confined space, aka the service yard, is giving him stress and changing a different confined space would help. We moved him to the balcony to try for 2 nights when it didn’t rain. The 1st morning was encouraging with a few random droplets but we woke up to pee and vomit in the 2nd morning. Not only did we ended up with a massive balcony cleanup, we also found pee on the sofa and behind the sofa after we let him out. Zzzzzzz.

This morning, in the short span of time that he was let out and Daddy Lim preparing bfast, Yochi peed in the pee pad, and beside the litter box in the living room. This is on top of the mess that he had already created in the service yard. 

I also found pee outside Zaky’s door later. 

I wanted to find a reason for Yochi. Maybe it is not him but Mochi creating the mess and we are accusing the wrong cat? Hmmm… we have only caught Yochi in the act once but I don’t think it is Mochi. 

This morning, I texted Dr Tay again, sending him pictures, including this one with drips of pee that look blood stained. Maybe it is UTI? 

I duno which is the greater evil - Yochi to have UTI or pure behavioural issues.

Dr Tay looked at the various pictures and said that it is all pee. It is both exerting territorial claims as well as protesting, especially if he pees outside the litter box. Is there blood in the pee? Dr Tay said that it is darker urine but no blood.

He also asked if Yochi is still chasing Mochi. Of course! Unless Yochi is drugged and sleepy/ drowsy, else he is still does that a few times a day when somebody is home and let them both out. 

I have updated the fosterer and told her that we are giving up. The aggression issue can still be managed by segregation and reintroduction on a slower basis. We simply can’t handle the peeing issue. Bcos we are worried that Yochi would pee at places that he isn’t supposed to, we didn’t dare to let him roam the house while confining Mochi while we are out. We used to do that to give Yochi more time to roam. Things seem to have gotten worse in the last 2 days and Yochi has started peeing at random places, seemingly to mark territory. All the more, we felt compelled to confine him in the service yard. Sob. 

This week is the end of 12 weeks that Yochi has been with us. He will still be very affectionate but we are enjoying him less and less as the confinement increases. The fosterer said that she understands and didn’t mind taking Yochi back, since we have tried for a significant period of time. I offered to keep Yochi for a while more, if needed, so that she has time to find another fosterer or adopter. I don’t mind coordinate visit with potential adopters too. 

I think the deadline would really be my next business travel. I think that means early June. I think Yochi would be left to a filthy service yard for as long as I am away for business trip. 

Mummy Lim